The future of our industry: James Huyton at IFAJ Congress 2024

Taking part in the IFAJ Congress in Switzerland gave Farmers Guardian’s James Huyton another perspective on the industry’s future.

High Elevations, High Expectations, last year Switzerland played host to the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) congress, with the event bringing together a range of international industry leaders providing insight into future prospects and developments.

Attending events like the IFAJ congress to build industry contacts and meet fellow journalists, can be challenging at the start of your career. Financial constraints can put the breaks on attending such events but gaining opportunity through the Joe Watson Legacy fund has opened doors and given a new industry insight.

It was clear to see challenges faced in the UK were very familiar around the world but without that connection and insight from networking with fellow Journalists and industry leaders it can be easy to get lost in your own environment. With a breathtaking backdrop of alpine mountains, the Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau, the Swiss delegate welcomed the congress at the Congress Kursaal Interlaken.

Switzerland remains one of the top four countries globally offering direct payments for agriculture, but with alpine scenery intrinsically entwined with the country’s tourism industry, you can see why land management remains a key Swiss focus. The congress offered industry insight far beyond my own expectations, with senior figures from Syngenta, Nestle, and Emmi Group taking to the stage.

Cultural change and climatic events played a heavy focus for an industry in the front line of weather events. Ultimately, it is the job of an agricultural communicator to relay information and solutions to such problems. Conveying this message, Jeff Rowe, CEO of Syngenta Group, commented on how Brazil holds a lot of degraded land, so Syngenta are targeting one million hectares with the biggest re-gen agricultural project in the world, aiming to reduce deforestation in the search for more fertile land.

It is often easy to slip into the mindset that UK agriculture is moving towards the fundamental principles of regenerative agriculture, but it takes a trip like the IFAJ congress to realize agriculture’s intrinsic need to offer a resilient food supply, while improving soil health, promoting biodiversity and protecting water, is a global challenge.

But the congress also challenged industry conception, even surrounded by lakes, mountains and the idea of an idyllic rural alpine lifestyle, Swiss environmentalists and mainstream media still challenge the industry’s environmental credentials and its social value in the sight of high direct payments for farmers.

Both Jonas Schalle of Birdlife Switzerland, and Angelika Hardeggar, questioned Swiss agriculture’s track record in delivering value for public money and questioned multi conglomerate interests within the Swiss food sector.

Although like many developed nations, Swiss societal ties with rural life seem to have waned in recent years, the country’s direct democracy remains a key tie to agriculture and its officeholders.

But farmers are resilient figures, adapting to changing mindsets, market demands and the environment, it was surprising to see commercial paddy fields, vineyards and no-till tobacco production in a country famed for its dairy products.

Facilitated by the Joe Watson Legacy Fund, this year’s trip to the IFAJ congress gave opportunity and industry insight into a country’s farming system facing challenges not too dissimilar to the ones faced in the UK and around the world. The connections and future collaborations made at the event are imperative in working towards future success in the industry and an opportunity I am very grateful for. I would urge anyone looking to explore the industry, to consider applying for the Joe Watson Legacy Fund and networking opportunities offered through the IFAJ.